Center of Attention – Part 3

Are you now a huge fan of the axis cable?  I loved that one row of cabling gave the 10 row repeat a big impact with a chain links effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This gorgeous foot deserves only the best heel!  Part three of this pattern gives you instructions to knit a short row heel.  Many sock knitters prefer the short row heel because it is quick to knit, uses less yarn than a classic heel and most closely resembles a machine knit sock.  (Machine knit socks?  You will never return to them after experiencing the luxury of hand-knit socks!)

Watch my two-part video, Short Row Heel, Part 1 & Part 2, and complement those lovely cables with this slick heel technique.  If you are new to short row heels, you may find the optional use of a counter, as demonstrated in video, to be a handy aid.

For those of you knitting two socks at once, watch my Two at a Time Socks – Short Row Heel Video to manage both heels efficiently.

Part Three

Click here to download printable version

AC6 (Axis Cable) – slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, knit 2 stitches from left hand needle, return 2 center stitches from cable needle to left hand needle, move cable needle to back of work, knit 2 center stitches, knit 2 stitches from cable needle.  See Axis Cable Video

k2tog – knit two together.  See k2tog Video

ssk – slip next stitch as if to knit, slip next stitch as if to knit, insert left needle into the front of these two slipped stitches from left to right and knit together.  See SSK Video

W&T (Wrap & Turn)  See Wrap and Turn Video

  • On knit side – slip 1, bring yarn to front of work, slip same stitch back to left needle, bring yarn to back of work, turn.
  • On purl side – slip 1, bring yarn to back of work, slip same stitch back to left needle, bring yarn to front of work, turn.

yo – yarn over.  See Yarn Over Video

Directions are for women’s Medium (directions for Large in parentheses when necessary).

Heel

See Short Row Heel – Part 1 Video

Work next row of design pattern across 36 instep stitches (see above chart).  These stitches will remain unworked during heel construction.  The 32(36) sole stitches will form the heel.

Work across heel stitches as follows:

Row 1.  Knit to last stitch on heel, W&T.

Row 2.  Purl to last stitch on heel, W&T.

Row 3.  Knit to stitch before wrapped stitch, W&T.

Row 4.  Purl to stitch before wrapped stitch, W&T.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until there are 12(14) unwrapped center stitches ending after Row 4.  There will be 10(11) wrapped stitches on each side of the center stitches.

Pick up (unwrap) wrapped stitches as follows:  See Short Row Heel – Part 2 Video 

Row 1.  Slip 1, knit to 1st wrapped stitch, lift front leg of wrap from front to back (placing left leg of wrap in front of needle) and knit it together with next stitch through the back loop, turn.

Row 2.  Slip 1, purl to 1st wrapped stitch, lift back leg of wrap from back to front (placing right leg of wrap on front of needle) and purl it together with next stitch, turn.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 1 wrapped stitch remains on each side of heel ending after Row 2.

Slip 1, knit across heel stitches and unwrap last stitch on knit side leaving one remaining wrapped stitch on the purl side.  (Do not go back and unwrap!)

Work across instep in charted pattern.

Unwrap last remaining wrap on the knit side by lifting wrap on needle (as on previous knit rows) and knit it together with next stitch through the back loop.  Knit remainder of heel stitches.

STOP!

Your heel is done and you should be quite proud of it!  Come back next week and we’ll finish up the sock.

Happy knitting!